Pippen Ain't Easy
Fansided

Chicago Bulls: Lauri Markkanen continues Rising Stars Challenge momentum?

By Andrew Miller

CHARLOTTE, NC - FEBRUARY 15: Lauri Markkanen #24 of the World Team handles the ball against the U.S. Team during the 2019 Mtn Dew ICE Rising Stars Game on February 15, 2019 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler /NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - FEBRUARY 15: Lauri Markkanen #24 of the World Team handles the ball against the U.S. Team during the 2019 Mtn Dew ICE Rising Stars Game on February 15, 2019 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler /NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

What does the Chicago Bulls second-year big man Lauri Markkanen need to do to continue his emergence after the Rising Stars Challenge?

The 2019 version of NBA All-Star Weekend was thoroughly entertaining and refreshing compared to what we got from the previous two years. A few key adjustments and changes played well to the benefit of the fans and players. Among the better events of the 2019 NBA All-Star Weekend at the home of the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center was the Rising Stars Challenge. This year’s Rising Stars Challenge featured fun players like Chicago Bulls power forward Lauri Markkanen.

Alongside Markkanen on the World Team in the Rising Stars Challenge was stars like Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons and Dallas Mavericks rookie sensation Luka Doncic. Ultimately the Chicago Bulls rising star (no pun intended) Markkanen and his 21 points and six rebounds weren’t enough to power the World Team over the United States.

Either way, this was a great opportunity for the Chicago Bulls fan base to get a glimpse at what Markkanen could do on a stage like this for the second straight season. Markkanen was really the only participant from the Chicago Bulls in this All-Star Weekend.

Some considered the Chicago Bulls shooting guard Zach LaVine missing this All-Star Game a pretty big snub among the reserves, but that doesn’t matter now. What Markkanen showed us on that big of stage for All-Star Weekend is a good way for him to enter the final stretch run of the 2018-19 regular season.

At this point of the season, the Chicago Bulls have nearly zero chance of making the playoffs and the fans know that. It is about building up this young roster to try and continue the rebuild into the some in front of a key 2019 NBA Draft. If the Bulls end up in a good slot for the draft lottery, this team could start to become special next season.

A lot of what will determine how this rebuild goes for the Bulls is how Markkanen develops. He’s had a nice breakthrough season after putting together an All-Rookie caliber 2017-18 campaign. Markkanen averages 18.5 points per game, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in a season where most of his numbers across the board are better than his rookie year.

The Bulls will get the shot to continue a decent roll that started heading into the All-Star Break on Feb. 22 against the Orlando Magic on the road. This is a team that Markkanen will have a chance to prove a lot to the NBA world and himself against. The Magic do have a solid front court spearheaded by star big man Nikola Vucevic.

Chicago Bulls: Player grades through the All-Star Break. dark. Next

If Markkanen can get rolling against the Magic, it will be much needed when the difficult showdowns against the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics come around on Feb. 23 and 25. He’ll get to face some of the best stars the NBA showed off in the All-Star Game including point guard Kyrie Irving and forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Home/Bulls News